December 12, 2003
Key Largo, FL

From Our Friend Laurie: The Toronto Perspective

It’s December 12/03 and these Sailors have been gone from Toronto for 108 days – but who’s counting?!

Going back a bit – I remember back in January 2003 when Mac first bought Afterblue. I was subject to listen to the many plans, dreams, ideas, etc. he had for adventure aboard his baby. I was privy to some of the initial planning stages of where he hoped to sail…..& I might add – his method of determining how long it would take – let’s just say it involved a fork & a globe :)

All this to say, they have certainly come a long way – not only in a geographic sense but experientially as well.

And now they are on the verge of setting sail for the Bahamas, to which I almost have to cringe. I mean, let me explain something here. I love the SUN!!! In the summer I am content to lie happily in the sun rays for a good part of the day. Maciek, on the other hand, much prefers shade. And “lying around”?! – I don’t even think that phrase is in his vocabulary – Polish OR English! :)

So I am at a loss how I am stuck here through yet another winter and they are gallivanting without a care in the world – except for maybe where the next “surprise” reef might be.

It wasn’t long ago, I was standing outside waiting for the bus. The wind was bitterly cold and proverbially slapping me in the face - & all I could think was, “It’s no fair, those guys are in Florida”. Never mind the taunting e-mails I get every now and again to proclaim that their day was spent at some beach! The nerve!

Perhaps I give the wrong impression though – as much as it is almost blasphemous to hear weather forecasts from them down south – I still love their updates. TO is not the same without their European influence. Nowadays I go out and one of the 1st questions people ask me is “how’s the guys?” So they’ve made an impression in one way or another on many here at home.

Lots more sailing/adventure/beaches/sun etc. awaits them – and I as always look forward to the stories yet to be told.

And only 155+ more days until they come home! So when I asked earlier "who is counting?" I guess that answer would be me :)

LAURIE